AQW 31603/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 19/09/2025
Answered On Date: 30/09/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice to outline how her Department will (i) support the relaunch of Women’s Aid Federation NI’s Responsible Reporting Matters guidelines; and (ii) reflect their principles in its domestic abuse policies and communications.

Answer:

I was pleased, along with the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health, to open the relaunch of Women’s Aid Federation NI’s Responsible Reporting Matters guidelines on 3 March 2025.

My Department, working jointly with the Department of Health, provided funding through the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Small Grant Scheme 24/25 to support the revision and re-launch of the guidance, and to enable Women’s Aid to deliver a series of workshops to journalists.

I believe that these guidelines will encourage more responsible reporting within the media, help to dispel myths and narratives that can perpetuate victim-blaming, and make victims and survivors more comfortable in coming forward to seek support.

I believe the updated guidelines are crucial in creating a wider understanding of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls within the media. My Department will continue to refer to these principles in the development of new policies and communications, ensuring that our approach remains trauma-informed and supports all victims and survivors in the most appropriate way.